Since 2005, Humboldt Waterkeeper has offered free bay tours for the general public. Over the years, more than 10,000 people have enjoyed our docent-led tours of the bay and coastal areas.In 2018, our Bay Tours Program restructured to focus on community organizations serving youth, ESL students, and others. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we launched monthly small-group birdwatching tours for the general public. To reserve a spot, contact Jasmin Segura at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (707) 616-7261.Here's a little background will help explain why we decided to refocus the Bay Tours Program after so many years of offering tours to the general public. In 2014, we began offering free kayaking tours with gear and guides provided by the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center in Eureka. These kayak tours were paired with a guided hike along the recently-completed Hikshari’ Trail and Elk River Wildlife Area on the south Eureka waterfront, with the goal of introducing residents and visitors to this beautiful section of California Coastal Trail. Our typical paddle tours included quite a few people who had never kayaked before. People said things like, “I’ve lived in Eureka my whole life and have never been out on the bay!” and “I’ve always wanted to paddle to Tuluwat Island but never had a chance to until today.” As heart-warming as that was to hear, it was also heart-breaking to know that so many people live within sight of the bay throughout childhood and well into adulthood without ever having an opportunity to experience it from the water.Inspired by a Times-Standard article about the City of Eureka’s CAPE program – the Community Access Program for Eureka – we contacted City staff to develop kayak tours for teens. After the first “Rock the Bay” tour in 2016, we expanded to provide bay tours for Eureka’s summer day camp for 8 to 12 year olds (Camp Cooper) as well as teens.In 2017, Jasmin Segura, our bilingual Bay Tours Coordinator, launched a new partnership with English Express, a non-profit school for English as a Second Language (known as ESL) with classes in Eureka, Fortuna, and Redway. The school’s founder, Mary Ann Hytken, brings local residents into classes to lead discussions on a wide range of topics. She also leads many different tours for the students and their families to explore Humboldt County. We are now leading tours of new sections of California Coastal Trail and other natural areas along the bay and coast for English Express, as well as bay tours aboard the Madaket.Thanks to funding from the California Coastal Conservancy, Coastal Commission Whale Tail Fund, Humboldt Area Foundation, the Cereus Fund, and individual donors, we are able to continue offering these free tours of our beautiful Humboldt Bay.Looking for other opportunities to experience Humboldt Bay from the water?The Madaket offers tours throughout the summer and fall, including sunset cocktail cruises, wildlife tours, and narrated tours focused on Humboldt Bay history. For info and to book tickets, call (707) 445-1910, visit the Madaket online, or visit the booth at Madaket Plaza (at the foot of C Street in Eureka).Humboats, Kayak Zak’s, Pacific Outfitters, and Kayak Trinidad offer kayak and stand up paddle board rentals as well as tours of Humboldt Bay, Trinidad Bay, Stone Lagoon, Big Lagoon, and many beautiful local rivers.
Since 2005, Humboldt Waterkeeper has offered free bay tours for the general public. Over the years, more than 10,000 people have enjoyed our docent-led tours of the bay and coastal areas.In 2018, our Bay Tours Program restructured to focus on community organizations serving youth, ESL students, and others. During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we launched monthly small-group birdwatching tours for the general public. To reserve a spot, contact Jasmin Segura at 
